Corey LaJoie provided a lighthearted response after his dramatic wild crash at the 2024 Michigan NASCAR Cup race, drawing attention to both the danger and the resilience required in high-speed motorsport. The incident, taking place during the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, saw LaJoie’s No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet flip multiple times before coming to a stop, yet he walked away with only minor evaluation needed.
Details of Corey LaJoie’s High-Speed Michigan Crash
During the key moments of the race, LaJoie lost control of his car after moving to the inside of Noah Gragson along the backstretch. His Chevrolet sharply veered toward the interior barrier, then spun across the apron, with the underbody becoming airborne and starting a violent, roof-first slide over a distance estimated at over 1,000 feet.
LaJoie decided to share the harrowing footage on social media, reposting a clip from NASCAR on NBC that captured the crash in full at Michigan International Speedway. He used humor in his reaction:
“Confirmed: they handle better with the rubber side down.”
The crash did not end with the initial flip. As the No. 7 car reached the grass zone near Turn 3, it tumbled three more times before finally halting. The sequence lasted about 15 seconds, and was influenced by wind gusts and speeds approaching 200 mph, contributing to the severity of the airborne incident.
Remarkably, Corey LaJoie escaped from the crash without serious injury, walked away under his own power, and was cleared after being checked at the infield care center. He commented afterwards to pit reporter Parker Kligerman, describing the experience and crediting NASCAR’s safety measures:
“I’ve never been upside down before… The No. 10 car chopped me a few times. It was a ride, buddy… I think we had a top-10 car today and I ended up on my roof.” He credited NASCAR for building safe cars and added, “I would jump back in if they’d let me.”
LaJoie finished the race in 32nd position. His accident was the second serious rollover crash at Michigan that weekend, following a similar incident involving Kyle Sieg during the Xfinity Series event one day earlier.
Looking Ahead: Corey LaJoie’s Career and 2025 Challenges
In conversations with FrontStretch Media, LaJoie discussed his NASCAR career beyond the wild Michigan incident, outlining his ambitions and recent transitions within the sport. Having wrapped up his full-time tenure with Spire Motorsports after the 2024 season, LaJoie shifted to part-time driving for Rick Ware Racing and also looked toward debuting in the CARS Tour at North Wilkesboro, now as the driver of the No. 12 car for KP Speed Motorsports.
LaJoie began the 2025 season with notable starts, including the Daytona 500, where he qualified 12th and finished 22nd, and subsequently raced at Atlanta and Bristol, though he has yet to secure a top-10 finish this season. He reflected candidly on the difficulty of maintaining momentum and finding the right opportunities in NASCAR:
“At the end of the day, whether you’re late model racing or Cup racing, you got to be with the right group at the right time.” —Corey LaJoie, Driver
“If those opportunities come up, great. If not, then I’ll just keep hanging out with my kiddos,” he added. —Corey LaJoie, Driver
With only three Cup Series starts so far in 2025 at Daytona, Atlanta, and Bristol, the quest for a breakthrough finish continues for LaJoie, who is seeking to maintain his place among top-tier drivers despite the unpredictable nature of the sport.
The Ongoing Impact and Safety Innovation in NASCAR
Corey LaJoie’s wild crash at the 2024 Michigan NASCAR Cup race not only highlighted the dangers drivers face, but also underscored the critical advancements in vehicle safety. The fact that LaJoie walked away from such a violent rollover serves as a testament to NASCAR’s commitment to improving driver protection over the years. As the season progresses, competitors like LaJoie, Noah Gragson, and Kyle Sieg will look to balance risk and ambition amid the ever-changing challenges and dynamic opportunities presented by Cup Series racing.
